Read Online Wicked City by Alaya Johnson - Free Book Online

lemonade nearly full.
    And across from them sat the two men whose visages I had already learned to fear: agents McConnell and Zuckerman. McConnell hunched in his chair, alternating sips of icy beverage with a cigarette. Zuckerman had pushed his untouched glass closer to his partner, and I wondered at the awkward hospitality that would have prompted Troy to give a vampire lemonade. They were in the shadow of a large, shady umbrella, probably to ensure Zuckerman’s comfort.
    â€œWe know you two were involved in that business with Rinaldo Sanguinetti in January,” McConnell was saying, while Zuckerman took notes. “So you must have heard something about this child vampire. I’m sure I don’t have to tell good Defenders like yourself of the seriousness of this crime. We just can’t let this sort of thing slide, and, ah, your group is up for renewal soon, right? I think we could put in a good word with the licensing officer? What do you say, Mort?”
    Zuckerman nodded thoughtfully. “I think we could. Provided cooperation.”
    McConnell smiled happily and downed his lemonade like it was a shot of triple-distilled whiskey. I heard the threat as clearly as Troy and Harry did, I’m sure. Rank corruption, and it made me furious. I stepped fully into the courtyard. “Well,” I said, “at least no one can accuse you of inconstancy, Officers.”
    McConnell looked up and doffed his hat. Zuckerman just stared at me for an uncomfortable moment, then made a note in his book. “Too late, Miss Hollis,” Zuckerman said, “if you were planning to warn your former colleagues.”
    â€œI rather thought I was going to save them from two bullies with police badges. But please continue. I was merely paying a social call on my way to a meeting with the mayor. I can wait.” I made my way over to a wicker armchair and sat down. I smiled and waved my hand. “Go on,” I said. “And Harry, if you’re not going to drink that, mind bringing it over here?” I fanned myself. “Nothing like a New York summer, is there?”
    Zuckerman still stared, immune to my powers of conversation. “You still deny harboring this child vampire?”
    â€œOf course I do.”
    McConnell picked up Zuckerman’s glass and shook the melting ice cubes like he could divine the truth from their motion. “Mort doesn’t believe you,” he said.
    â€œMaybe Mort doesn’t know everything,” I snapped.
    Harry stood awkwardly and walked over to where I sat, across the courtyard. He gave me a look of something close to terror and mouthed, Judah ? I gave a slow, discreet nod and took the drink from him with loud thanks. I could only pray that even if the officers proved my own role in Judah’s rescue, they wouldn’t follow his trail back to my family in Yarrow. Harry knew the danger, but he acted unconcerned when he sat back down with the officers. He might be young, I thought, but Harry learns fast . A Hollis trait, perhaps, drilled into us by our crazy daddy.
    The officers took their leave soon after, and I resisted the urge to stick my tongue out at McConnell’s willowy back. Troy and Harry had been as one in their denial of any knowledge about any child vampire. As far as Troy knew, he only told the truth—I had not been fool enough to confide my involvement with Judah to him, and I assumed that Harry had been discreet enough not to mention the latest addition to our family.
    â€œWhat the devil was that about, Zephyr?” Troy asked. He plucked a few ice cubes from the bottom of his glass and dropped them, with very little ceremony, down the back of his shirt. He practically groaned in pleasure; Harry gave him a lopsided smile.
    â€œBeats me,” I said, with I hoped convincing bafflement. “Those officers are convinced I’m guilty of some felony or other. Something to do with the Rinaldo affair, I think. But they don’t